2015 ISSUE 1 ISSUE News andand viewsviews forfor the the people people of of Glasgow Glasgow Caledonian Caledonian Universit University y £1billion boost to the economy GCU supports 14,000 jobs Page 6 Building on REF excellence Top modern Scottish university by research power Pages 4-5 Welcome to The Caledonian As the launch of GCU’s Strategy 2020 draws near, the University’s research academics are already looking to the future. Just three months after receiving the results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, GCU is already planning for the next assessment in 2020. The REF 2014 results reaffirm the University's position as a world-class research institution, and work is under way to ensure that GCU is as prepared as it can be for the next submission. You will also read 2015 how GCU generates 1 ISSUE News andand viewsviews forfor the the people people of of Glasgow Glasgow Caledonian Caledonian Universit University y economic and social benefit worth nearly £1billion to the UK economy while supporting 14,000 £1billion boost jobs. The report also to UK economy Pages 06 notes that for every Building on REF excellence GCU is top modern university in Scotland £1 from funding by research power Pages 04-05 bodies, GCU returns Caledonian Magazine Winter 2014.indd 3 22/04/2015 10:10 £14.75 to the UK economy and £13.13 to the Scottish economy. Chief Financial Officer Gerry Milne tells us about his 32 years at GCU and former Chair of Court Tony Brian reflects on his time at the University. Founding Dean of GCU New York Professor Bob Clougherty explains how the campus is set for great things this year and we chat to GCU London’s senior lecturer, Macandi Showrooms’ Maggie Smart. Professor Vassilis Charissis and Dr Karen Lorimer share insights into their current projects and Billy Black tells us what it’s like to balance the roles of security supervisor and bedellus. Elsewhere in this issue, we catch up with honorary graduates Brian Filling and Gavin Esler. Brian talks to us about how GCU has made a difference in South Africa, while Gavin offers advice on how to hone your own ‘story’. We hope you enjoy these and the other features we have compiled for this issue. The Big Picture Comedian Billy Connolly and Breaking Bad actress Laura Fraser grab a seat with Glasgow artist Gerald Burns. They were just a THE CALEDONIAN few of the Scottish stars to gather at GCU New York during EDITORIAL TEAM Scotland Week and were among 16 prominent Scots to be [email protected] depicted in an exhibition of portraits 'A Brush with Inspiration' by Gerald himself. 2 Contents 4 Now is the time to aim even higher Planning for REF 2020 is already under way. 6 £1bn boost to economy A report shows GCU contributes nearly £1billion to the UK economy. 7 Set for great things We catch up with Professor Bob Clougherty, Founding Dean of GCU New York. 8 Everybody needs to have a story – what’s yours? Broadcast journalist and GCU honorary graduate Gavin Esler talks about his career. 10 Let me tell you a story or two about Mandela Honorary graduate Brian Filling on his involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle. 13 Partnerships at work An insight into the School for Work Based Education. 14 An incredible journey Catriona Mowat’s charity cycle takes her from Vietnam to Cambodia. 15 Matching creativity with business skills New GCU London senior lecturer Maggie Smart talks fashion and family. 17 Students on the case Student volunteers bring social justice to those in need. 18 Driven to success from an early age An award-winning car designer and engineer, Professor Vassilis Charissis joined GCU to develop his research interests in HUD interfaces and 3D visualisation. 20 News Briefing Alumnus and former footballer Pat Nevin returns to inspire students, and Humza Yousaf MSP attends the launch of GCU’s entrepreneurial hub. 23 Billy takes the lead Billy Black on his roles as GCU’s bedellus and security supervisor. 24 It's so much more than bugs and babies Senior Research Fellow Dr Karen Lorimer talks about her work in sexual health with local communities. 26 They’re the best times of my life Chief Financial Officer Gerry Milne on his 32 years at GCU. 28 There are wonderful opportunities ahead Former Chair of Court Tony Brian looks back on his time at GCU. 29 What’s in a name? We find out more about Govan Mbeki, George Moore, Hamish Wood, Charles Oakley and William Harley. 30 Global Watch GCU is helping to transform lives around the world. 32 Recognition for learning while you teach The University’s Accelerate CPD Learning and Teaching initiative. 34 Lee's hobby proves a massive mouthful Vice-President Activities at GCU Students' Association is a champion haggis eater. ublished by: Communications and Public Affairs, Glasgow Caledonian University.Designed and printed by: Print Design PServices, Glasgow Caledonian University. Photography by: Peter Devlin, Guy Hinks, Getty, Derek Prescott. © Glasgow Caledonian University 2015. Glasgow Caledonian University Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA Scotland, United Kingdom +44 (0)141 331 3000 www.gcu.ac.uk 3 RESEARCH Now is the time to aim even higher The results of the Research Excellence Framework 2014 saw GCU rated top modern university in Scotland by research power. Fiona Ramsay finds planning for 2020 is already under way. t may seem so far away, but, just three disciplines and is being used by the and this is vital for the economy and for Imonths after receiving the results of the UK higher education funding bodies to the health and wellbeing of our citizens,” Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, inform research funding for this year. says Professor Jim Woodburn from the GCU is already planning for the next The Scottish Funding Council’s School of Health and Life Sciences. assessment in 2020. (SFC) initial decisions on the Research Professor Mannion says although the Working closely with the three academic Excellence Grant (REG) and the Research guidance for 2020 could change between schools, Vice-Principal and Pro Vice- Postgraduate Grant (RPG) indicate that now and then, GCU’s new Research Chancellor Research Professor Mike GCU’s funding allocation will increase Strategy 2020 is currently being rolled out Mannion is in 'REF mode'. Impact case for the next three years. to put the University on the right path for studies and environment statements to strategic progression towards the next REF. support key research strengths are being The Strategy 2020 addresses three planned as live, evolving documents to major societal challenges, enabling ensure that GCU is as prepared as it can be communities in the UK and internationally for the next submission. to build inclusive societies and live healthy Just before Christmas, Principal and lives in sustainable environments. These Vice-Chancellor Professor Pamela Gillies broad themes encapsulate GCU’s research and Professor Mannion spoke in the across the schools. Deeprose Theatre of their pride in For REF 2014, GCU made submissions the REF 2014 results, which reaffirmed to nine of the 36 areas of assessment, the University’s position as a world-class spanning allied health; computer science; research institution. general engineering; architecture and the GCU performed particularly well in built environment; business and its allied health research submission. management studies; social work The results demonstrated that 89 per Pro Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Mike Mannion. and social policy; education; history; and cent of the University’s research activity communication, cultural and media studies. in the allied health professions is in the Not only is the REF important to highest categories of world-leading secure the University’s research funding, (4*) and internationally excellent (3*). the inclusion of a measure of the wider We are delighted this Overall, the University is ranked in the societal impact of research for the first top 20 in the UK for health research time has provided evidence of GCU’s process confirmed at world-leading and internationally commitment to work towards solving our research has a excellent standards. real societal challenges through its “ “This was a strong REF performance research priorities. significant impact and highlights our continuing journey It is expected that, having successfully on society towards world-class research across our key piloted the impact assessment, impact will research themes,” says Professor Mannion. account for a higher percentage of a Assessors analysed the research Replacing the Research Assessment university’s submission in the next research submissions from 154 UK universities, Exercise (RAE), which was last carried exercise in 2020. which covered a staggering 52,077 out in 2008, the REF was a year-long “We are well placed because of the academic staff, 191,232 research outputs assessment of the quality and impact of UK nature of our applied research to and 6975 impact case studies. higher education institutions’ research in all demonstrate its impact beyond academia The overall proportion of UK research 4 RESEARCH classed as world leading was given a major judged to be in the highest categories, The Times Higher Education, which uses boost by the inclusion of impact in the ranking GCU as one of the leading the REF results to compile its own league assessment – The Times Higher Education universities in the UK for the societal table, ranked GCU as 75th equal by its suggests 30 per cent of UK research was impact of its applied research in health. grade point average of 2.67, up from 93rd classed as world leading, compared to just Research in areas including increasing HIV equal in 2008. 17 per cent in the 2008 RAE.